Because of an impacted agenda, the Fremont Planning Commission tabled the T-Mobile cell tower/"stealth" pine proposal until July 12, 7 p.m., at City Council Chambers, 3300 Capitol Ave. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Terry Wong, the city planner in charge of the project, at 494-4456.

If you wish to join a group exploring health, seismic, and/or aesthetic ramifications of the proposal, contact Patty Allen. We hope to hear your thoughts on the matter, especially given that such installations likely will be placed closer and closer to residential areas in the future.

Are they taking out any trees for the tower? I noticed that there are trees with a colored dot on Niles Blvd. that are so old and exotic. Are they taking out those trees?

Elaine Glidewell

Posted – 07/02/07 11:46pm by Lynn Slater

In Palo Alto, a red dot on the trees means that it has been selectedfor removal. I dont know if that is a universal practice by cities.

On another note, regarding the cell tower, I met someone one who'sneighborhood recently had a cell tower installed. He said that whenit was planned, the cell phone company promised that it would be thestealth model and convinced the city and the neighbors to allow it. Then, at the last minute, they changed the plan and put in a regular(non-stealth) cell tower.... when it was too late for the neighbors todo anything to stop it. Now this poor guy has a giant metal polebehind his house and everyone is really ticked off. I hope that the same Bait and Switch tactics arent employed here, as well!

C.H.Niles Blvd

Posted – 07/02/07 11:46pm by Lynn Slater

All I know is that when we inquired about to what a monopine looked like we were directed to a corner of Washington Blvd and Paseo Padre... the supposed monopine was a monopole. Makes you wonder just how much the city really knows what its talking about. This was on a referral from Terry (?) Wong.

I don't have a lot of faith in what we are told and what we will end up with. I believe the proposal stated negligible or minor removal of vegetation. Perhaps that needs to be clarified.

The original plan for the Rock Avenue corner didn't call for any tree removal but do you see any remaining trees? Especially the huge ash tree facing Niles Blvd that was in an inconvenient place - see all the utility trenching under where it was -and it suddenly became "diseased" and had to be removed for public safety!!

Nancy

Plumeria

Posted – 07/02/07 11:47pm by Lynn Slater

I wouldn't be surprised by any bait-and-switch tactics on the part ofthe wireless industry, in relation to our impending local antenna. Ifind it sad that so many people actually believe *anything* thatthey're told by those folks. If they can't be honest with you aboutbilling practices and reception, how can you believe anything thatthey tell you?

Personally, if someone in the wireless industry told me that the skyis blue, I'd have to stick my head out of an open window to verifythat it hadn't changed to orange since the last time I looked.

Del on Niles Boulevard

Posted – 07/02/07 11:47pm by Lynn Slater

Reminds me of living in Pinole on the second floor which overlooked three 7 foot pine trees growing in a row parallel to the building. Unfortunately, they were growing under an electric power line which created a 2-3" burn line across all three which I witnessed. One day, a lineman was cutting down the trees and a child was asking why - the lineman responded - they're 'diseased.'

Every time I read of a suspicious fire of unknown cause - I think of this and wonder how many other people are aware that power lines can CAUSE FIRES... which is why you see them always cutting away branches surrounding or reaching their lines.

I for one, am tired of being duped. I for one - will attend that meeting. Hope to see you all there.

Posted – 07/02/07 11:48pm by Lynn Slater

Sounds like there is a lot of hostility out there for cell phone providers. I don't like them or fake trees much but I hope you all will balance your concern with the need for some sort of transmission for our cell phones!!

My favorite is the antenna is a church cross..income for the church and no visible tower. Altho there were those who complained about the cross..Oh well..

Judy Z

Posted – 07/02/07 11:48pm by Lynn Slater

According to the information disseminated by the city, no trees are to be removed to accommodate the installation. Presently there are three fir trees in back of Dave's Foreign Auto Repairs. The mono-pine is to be placed just to the north of the third tree, at the edge of the vacant lot between the auto shop and the townhome development on Mission. I hope this clarifies people's concerns about the vegetation in the area.

Moreover, the Planning Commission and City Council, as I understand it, did approve a smaller mono-pine cell phone tower in an industrial area of Warm Springs, 48155 Warm Springs Blvd. The report on this site does mention that the "residential area is over 950 ft. from the proposed facility," but the proposed Mission/Nursery location is closer to 200 feet from the nearest homes and would stand 20 feet taller. Does anyone know anything about the mono-pine proposed for the end of Hillview?

Posted – 07/02/07 11:48pm by Lynn Slater

I love my cell phone, I love trees. I'm so confused... But how about proposing a tower permit, in exchange for some serious tree planting around here? Could we identify some city, county, railroad, or even privately owned property that could be enhanced by some major "future heritage" tree plantings? It's true that Niles has more beautiful trees and resulting ambiance than Union City , greater Fremont, or Newark...... but when I visit Palo Alto, Marin, or parts of Berkeley, I see that we could do much better, indeed! Let's propose a meaningful four to six block stretch of new trees in exchange for one antenna-studded "Monopine". Good deal for future generations, eh?....Dirk VisserSecond Street